E. Mary Wirtzfeld

E. Mary Wirtzfeld, age 88, of Fargo, North Dakota, formerly of Sentinel Butte, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 3, 2010, at Bethany Homes in Fargo in the presence of her husband and family. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., Thursday, January 7, 2010 at the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Beach and 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Thursday, January 7, 2010, at the Golden Valley Manor in Beach. A Vigil will be held at 7:00 P.M., Thursday, January 7, 2010, at the Golden Valley Manor in Beach. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Friday, January 8, 2010, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beach with Reverend Father David Richter officiating. Rite of Committal will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery in Sentinel Butte. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Beach is entrusted with arrangements. Mary was born August 28, 1921, to Hjalmer and Ruth Johnson near Sentinel Butte. She attended Sentinel Butte Elementary and High School, graduating in 1939. Mary attended Dickinson State College, graduating with the Standard Teaching Certificate in 1941. She later earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher, Mary was a lifetime member of the NDEA and NEA, as well as a former member of the Friendly Homemakers Club. Mary's first teaching position was at the Olson School north of Sentinel Butte. In 1944, she began teaching in Klickitat, Washington, returning to the Sentinel Butte area in 1948 where she continued teaching in country schools. Mary taught many years at the Westerheim and Randash Schools as well as Sentinel Butte Elementary schools. She also taught briefly in Tampico, Montana; Wibaux County, Montana; and Ollie, Montana. In 1976, she began teaching at Lincoln Elementary School in Beach. After 36 and a half years, Mary retired in 1985. On February 14, 1950, Mary was united in marriage to Peter H. Wirtzfeld at St. Michael's in Sentinel Butte. Mary continued teaching in the area while raising their three oldest children, Tom, Ruth, and Cindy, on the family farm north of Sentinel Butte. Mary took a year off from teaching after the birth of their youngest son, Peter Jr. She continued to teach while raising four children and still found the time to ensure her family sat down together for a meal every night. Mary spent her retirement years quilting, gardening, bird watching, and traveling many times to Hawaii with her husband, visiting her children and grandchildren. She was extremely proud of all her grandchildren, spending countless hours baking, teaching them piano, and telling them humorous stories and anecdotes. Mary also spent many years extensively researching the family's genealogy which resulted in a treasured family history book. Mary was a kind and generous woman whose door was always open. With a pot of coffee brewing, Mary was always ready for a visit. All who stopped by were sure to find themselves with their bellies full and smiles on their faces. Her neighborly hospitality and friendship will be missed by all. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and one older brother, Carl Johnson. Mary is survived by her husband Pete of Fargo, North Dakota; her four children: Tom (Bev) Wirtzfeld of Northfield, Minnesota; Ruth (Richard Wolfert) Wirtzfeld of Fargo, North Dakota; Cindy (David Summers) Nolan of Lewisville, Texas; Pete (Laure) Wirtzfeld Jr. of Sentinel Butte, North Dakota; her two brothers, William "Fiddlin' Bill" Johnson of Beach, North Dakota, and Jim (Jan) Johnson of Sentinel Butte, North Dakota; her 8 grandchildren: Adam (Rita) Wirtzfeld, Kelsey (Steve) Smith, Joshua (Kala Bacon) Wirtzfeld, Kate Nolan, Jacob (Christine Roper) Wirtzfeld, Ashley (Bill Maye) Wirtzfeld, Ruth Nolan, and Tim Nolan; her 4 great-grandchildren: Anika Wirtzfeld, Macoy Maye, Bailee Wirtzfeld, and Amelia Maye.

E. Mary Wirtzfeld

August 28, 1921 - January 8, 2010

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E. Mary Wirtzfeld

August 28, 1921 - January 8, 2010

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

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Grief & Healing

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